Protesters scuffle with police in London

London, April 1 (DPA) Angry protesters shouting “Shame on you” and “Storm the banks” were involved in scuffles with police outside the Bank of England during anti-globalisation demonstrations in London Wednesday. Thousands of protesters, some wearing bowler hats, converged on the central bank in the heart of the City of London as leaders of Group of 20 (G20) nations arrived for a summit on the world economy.

At one point, several hundred demonstrators attempted to break through barriers to reach the heavily-guarded and boarded-up bank building, but were held back by the police.

There were minor scuffles as a small group of masked demonstrators confronted police, but the protests remained largely peaceful.

Thousands of officers shepherded protesters carrying banners proclaiming “Balls to the Banks” and “Punish the looters” while carrying effigies of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Bankers leaning out of office windows taunted demonstrators down below by waving 10-pound notes at them, provoking a response of shouts and cheers.

Many bankers and office workers heeded advice from their employers to “dress down” in sweaters and jeans to avoid being targeted.

A spokesman for Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which has been at the centre of criticism in the current banking crisis, said it was “business as usual”.

“I am here to make sure that peace happens rather than war,” said Mirthful Merryweather, a nurse among the protesters.

Christine Hickey, 64, said: “I’m just fed-up with the bankers who’ve got away with taking all this money. People are losing jobs and their homes and I’m fed-up with it.”